In a showdown of undefeated teams, the Oakdale Lady Mustangs varsity track and field squad expanded their league dual meet winning streak to 89 on Thursday, April 14. In an 87-48 win over visiting Lathrop, Oakdale got great efforts on and off the track. Leading the way in the field competitions were seniors Hannah Chappell and Kai Tanner. Both seniors are undefeated this season in their respective throws competitions. Chappell took first place in the discus with her heave of 140’10” and Tanner powered her way to a first place finish in the shot put with her toss of 39’2.5”. Juniors Sam Nickerson, Mikayla Wong and Madison Abell all took or tied for first in their events. Nickerson’s jump of 4’8” in the high jump earned her first place honors in the home meet. Pole vaulters Wong and Abell each cleared the bar at 8’6” to tie for first place. Sophomore Cassie England helped keep the team’s streak alive with a first place in the triple jump with a massive 34’6” leap. Fellow sophomore Kayla Budine also helped out in several events including her first place finish in the long jump where she leaped a total of 15’1”. Budine was busy on Thursday as she was also a part of two first place relay teams joining Melody Johnson, Kyla Novotny and Courtney Dickens for first in the 4x100 relay finishing with a time of 51.88. Budine also teamed with Novotny, Madyson Falconi and Marnelle Salie for a first place finish in the girls 4x400 with a 4:27.48 time. Oakdale varsity girls have improved to 5-0 against VOL opponents this season.

Oakdale’s varsity boys fell short 70-64 against the Spartans; this was the boys third close loss of the season. Highlighting the Mustangs day was senior Josh Gorman who took first in both the 1600 meters in 4:48 and the 800 meters in 2:10. Fellow seniors Austin Burke, James Monges and Matt Vandagriff also took first place in their respective events. Burke claimed first in the triple jump with a distance of 41’3”; Monges leaped an impressive 20’5” in the long jump. Raising the bar in the pole vault, Vandagriff cleared the bar at 12’. The boys are now 2-3 in VOL meets.

Zac Campbell was both busy and productive for the boys junior varsity team. The sophomore swept the hurdles, winning both the 300 and 100 and helped lead the way in the 4x100 with Cameron Cherry, Makai Harris and Carson Frazee with a time of 46.89. Campbell also took first in the long jump at 18’1”. Cherry sprinted his way to a first place finish in the 200 meter race in 23.97 seconds. Sophomore James Forkner kept pace and then sprinted down the final stretch to win in the 3200 meter race in 11:05.2. Ben Miller finished in less than five minutes in the 1600 meters to take first, Hunter Falconi’s 5’6” high jump was a first place jump and Dustin Vandenbosch took first in the pole vault with a 9’6” clearance. Teammate Justin Carlos also finished with a 9’6” clearance but had one miss prior to that leap. Oakdale’s junior varsity boys are now 3-1-1 on the year.

In a 61-61 tie, the junior varsity girls were led by Bailey Garcia, who swept three events. Garcia took first in the 1600 in 6:39.3, the 800 in 3:03.3 and the 3200 in under 15 minutes. Madison Carter won two events with a 28.67 finish in the 200 meter race and a 28’ finish in the triple jump. Displaying their power were Hallie Morton and Elizabeth Rushing in the discus and shot put. Morton’s 30’15” shot put throw and Rushing’s 74’ discus toss each earned them first place. With the win, Oakdale’s junior varsity girls improved to 2-2-1.

Oakdale’s next meet is set for Thursday, April 21 at Manteca with a start time of 3:30 p.m.